Today I'm offering a found poem and a bit of, well, blatant self-promotion. (Feel free to excuse yourself if you must - I felt I had to warn you.)

I've just launched a new art business, artsyletters, featuring "Art for Your Literary Side" and gifts for readers and writers. My first art show since life B. C. (Before Children) was last weekend, and I was delighted with the feedback and response. Actually, the most popular item in my booth was the old Underwood typewriter I had set out for folks to type in their email addresses for a forthcoming quarterly newsletter. I lost track of how many kids I "taught" to type (kid being the appropriate label all the way up to 20-somethings) - You have to kind of punch the key down, see? And listen for that wonderful ding as you get to the end of the line....

The littlest kids enjoyed finding the letters to their name on the strange contraption; the young at heart reminisced about typewriters their parents had had, machines that used to be in attics and oh-how-I-wish-I had-that now, or Smith Caronas they had typed on in school. (I personally churned out college papers on a typewriter - albeit an electric one, though a job soon out of college at a community newspaper came with an ancient, heavy, wonderful old black typewriter!)

Well, I'm paying homage to typewriters and old books and letters and poetry and more with my new art. It includes pen and ink, relief prints, calligraphy, bookmarks and note cards, in addition to more of these altered page collages which yield found poems. Here's one for today, pictured above:

This collage began as page 206 of the 1922 JOURNEYS THROUGH BOOKLAND (Vol. 6) compiled by Charles H. Sylvester. It's the first page of a story called "The Poet and the Peasant" by French novelist Emile Souvestre. I added some bling to the initial letter A - a bit of 23 karat gold leaf. The beautiful old watchface, vintage key, and the vintage Remington typewriter part were all Etsy finds!

And here's all my links: To peruse my wares, please visit my new Etsy shop. Click here for my new blog, which will soon feature weekly musings and art discussions among creative folk (I hope - come see me!), plus some give-aways. I wouldn't object if you wanted to "Like" my artsyletters Facebook page - thanks to those of you who have already!, and before too long I'll figure out how to Tweet. I think.

Huge thanks to Cathy C. Hall, who stumbled on some of the aforementioned and asked if she could do a "Fun Friday" post about it today. Um, YEAH. Here's the link to her fabulous blog.

And, finally, Renee has more poetry than chocolate in a candy store today at her incredible No Water River. Indulge yourself! (And for those who read to the end, my humble thanks.)

I'm excited for you, Robyn! And what a fun Etsy shop! I favorited a couple of things and will be back. <br>I remember my dad's old typewriter -- there's nothing like the sound of it, the clacking and the dings!

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Tabatha

September 21, 2012 3:32 AM EDT

Thanks so much, Tabatha! I love hearing typewriter stories. You're right - they have great "clacks" as well as dings. Thanks for the Etsy hearts!

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Robyn Black

September 21, 2012 4:32 AM EDT

Oh Robyn, what a delightful project - very inspiring too! I now recall our ancient typewriter and how I learned punching through those keys (t'was still "The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the fence or somesuchthing"). I love your tribute today to vintage stuff that produces oh-so-beautiful things such as<br>"curious<br>verses<br>mysteries of thought<br>and <br>graceful words!"<br>Beautiful!

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Myra from GatheringBooks

September 21, 2012 4:44 AM EDT

Myra, So wonderful to see you here! Thanks for visiting and for your kind comments. I remember the quick brown fox, too - I think in our typing classes he (she?) would "jump(s) over the lazy dog." That gets most of the letters, maybe except w. Hmmm, it doesn't seem to get w. Well, I always liked the image!

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Robyn Black

September 21, 2012 7:21 AM EDT

Your found poem is great and captures the essence of all writing - observing! Loved browsing your shop on Etsy - truly unique gifts for people of letters! One poet I know composes instant poems for the public on a typewriter. Visitors to her boot select a word card and off she goes! A bit much pressure for me.

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Joyce Ray

September 21, 2012 7:47 AM EDT

Thanks for visiting, Joy, and thank you for the support! What a great story about the poet and typewriter. But yes, my luck, my Muse would take off to go get coffee just as someone walked up...!

The old typewriters did have a much different feel to them. I don't miss using them. The lighter touch makes it so much easier to write something. <br>Your shop contains lots of unique gifts. I hope you sell lots of items. <br>Your poetry is always appreciated. Thank you for sharing another delightful poem.

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Patricia Cruzan

September 21, 2012 10:00 AM EDT

Patricia, you always make my day! Thanks for the kind thoughts. You're right about the new keys being easier to manage than those old typewriter keys - but I did love the feel and sound of them! Computer keyboards are easier on the joints, I'm sure.

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Robyn Black

September 21, 2012 10:53 AM EDT

Robyn I love your Etsy shop! My favorite is the Yin Yang cat cards. Good luck with your many endeavors!

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Andromeda Jazmon

September 21, 2012 11:04 AM EDT

Thanks for taking a look, Andi! I did that (very tedious!) drawing a long time ago, but it's still a favorite. I appreciate the good wishes.

Lovely poem, Robyn! And good luck with your new project. Lots of creativity going on in your neck of the woods!

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iza Trapani

September 21, 2012 12:54 PM EDT

Thanks so much, Iza! I enjoyed discovering your blog today. :0)

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Robyn Black

September 21, 2012 2:16 PM EDT

I love 'curious verses' - not just how it sounds with its the internal rhyme, but the concept of a poet's lines meaning one thing to one person, something else to another, and nothing at all to most others. (ahh, such is the poets life!)

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Matt

September 21, 2012 2:24 PM EDT

artsyletters is so exciting! I already favorited it on FB and my Etsy account :). I love your found poem collage that you featured today. Good luck with your new venture!<br><br>P.S. Love old typewriters. Did a lot of time on old Royals, Smith Coronas, and Selectrics! I'm an antique myself, you know :).

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jama

September 21, 2012 2:41 PM EDT

What a gorgeous project, Robyn - and I'm so glad for you that you're finding space to create again. Your Etsy shop is gorgeous - I'll definitely be back...

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Marjorie (PaperTigers)

September 21, 2012 5:47 PM EDT

Robyn, you are a joy. Love the typewriter in your booth. And the pieces are simply LOVELY. Excited for your new venture!

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Irene Latham

September 21, 2012 7:31 PM EDT

Thanks to all who popped in while I was out! <br><br>Matt, I loved "curious verses" too. <br><br>Jama, thanks so much for all the Etsy and Facebook love! And we all get a little more vintage each year, but that just increases our value. ;0)<br><br>Marjorie, thanks for such encouraging words. You make me smile!<br><br>And Irene, if folks like you like my wares, then that brings me much joy!

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Robyn Black

September 22, 2012 8:47 AM EDT

Wow, Robyn, so many goodies, where does one start! Those poem collages are just fabulous. Congrats on...well...EVERYTHING! Your shop looks wonderful. :)

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Renee LaTulippe (@ReneeMLaTulippe)

September 22, 2012 9:06 AM EDT

Thank you, Renee! And thank you for being a MOST WONDERFUL Poetry Friday host - I knew you'd do it with flair. The candy was an added bonus. ;0)<br>

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Robyn Black

September 22, 2012 3:11 PM EDT

I had a long, long day yesterday, & must say I read your blog, peeked at all your goodies on Esty & loved them, then forgot to comment. The way you've presented the poem is wonderful. I have my grandmother's old upright typewriter, count it as quite a keepsake. I imagine everyone loved typing. Best wishes to you Robyn!

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Linda Baie

September 22, 2012 3:34 PM EDT

Thanks so much, Linda! I hope you have a chance for some R and R this weekend. I so appreciate all the kind comments and the Facbook "like" - and your taking the time to circle back and comment here. :0)

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Robyn Black

September 24, 2012 5:55 PM EDT

Love this, Robyn! Congratulations on getting back to your art in a more...I don't know what the right word is...public?...way! I'm very excited for you and wish you the best! (A good omen that the captcha below for me is etciati nest--a clear reference to your cozy new home on etsy!)

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Laura Purdie Salas

September 24, 2012 6:38 PM EDT

Laura, THANK YOU for all the encouragement, and for sharing the "Captcha" phrase - I love that! Good omen indeed, I think. :0)